Equalizing trailing coupling device.



L. ALMGREN. EQUALIZING TBAILING ooUPLING DEVICE.

APPLICATION 'FILED 00T.16, 1911A Patented Mar. 19, 1912.

In vento@ '513 (if), 'l

LOUIS .ALMGREN, OF SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA.

EQU'ALIZNE-"f TRAILING COUPLING DEVICE.

Specification of Lettere ferent. Patented Mar. '19, Zitti? Application filed October 16, 1911. Serial No. 654,894.

To all 'who/m, t may concern:

Be it known that l', Louis Armtrunx, a citizen of the United States, residing at San Diego, in the county ot San Diego and State oit California, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Equalizing Trailing Coupling Devices, of which the 'following is a specification.

This invention relates to an equalizmg trailing coupling device the object ot which is to provide an improved structure adapted to be used in drawing a tire. engine by means of ananto-truck, though it may be used to draw any kind of vehicle by means of any other vehicle.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be set. forth in the detailed description which now follows.

In the accompanying drawing, .Figure 1 is a perspective view of a' device constructed inaccordanee'vvith the invention, and Fig. 2 is a detailed sectional view through the head of o'ne of the coupling rods herein- Y after described.

Like numerals designate corresponding parts in both of the figures of the drawing.

Referring to the drawing, the numeral 5 designates the rear aXle of an automobile truck7 and 6 designates the tront axle iframe ori bed of a ire engine or other vehicle intended to be drawn by means ot' said truck. double bar 7 has one of its ends attached to the axle 5 at 8 and at its opposite end is provided with a hollow head 9': A plunger rod 10 is slidably disposed in the hollow head 9 and a spring 11 bears between one .end of the hollow head 9 and'a head 12 of the rod 10. A second spring 13 bears between the outer face of the end of the head 9 and a collar 14 carried by the plunger rod. The plunger rod is provided with the eyelet 15, which is pivoted at 16 to 'the axle 6. The bar 17 is pivoted at 18 to the axle 5,-and at its opposite end is provided with a head 9 in which plunger rod 10 is disposed, these parts, 9 and 10 correspondin' exactly with the parts 9 and 10 (see Fig. 2 and the arrangement of springs is the same, only the outer spring being shown in the perspective vieW,iwhere it is designated '13. Thefplunger rrod 10 is pivotally connected at 15') with the axle 6. A pair of bars, each of' which comprises a toothed rod portion 20 and a sleeve portion 21 extend between the bars 7 and 17. The toothed bars are pivoted at 22 and 23 to the bars? and 17`respectively,

while the sleeves 2l are pivotally connected at 2iand Q5 to the bars 17 and 7 respectively. hatches Q6 are pivotally mounted in the ears it? of the sleeves Q1 and are adapted to engage the teeth ot' the bars Qtl 'when they are pulled down against the tension of ih e springs 28. For the purpose of pulling these latches down to engaged position against the tension. of these springs QS. rods 2f) are connected to the upward extension 20 ot the latches. lVhen the auto trut-.lt is runningT ahead the rods 29 are released, whereupon the springs 2S hold the latches out ot engagement. with the teeth, thereby permitting free movement of the parts 17 and 7, causing the following vehicle to trail behind the auto truck, accommodating itself to curves, but at the same time being held against (wei-running the power vehicle. lVhen itis desired to back the fire engine the rods 29 are actuated to move the latch members 26 into engagement Withthe teeth of the automobile truck will back the engine on any wheel alinement desired. While in the present instance the rods 29 have been illustrated as running toward the fire engine to 'be operated therefrom, it is apparent that they may extend in the opposite direction to be operated from the automobile if desired. It will be apparent that the springs 11 act and that the springs lf3 act as shock absorb- `ers when backing.

From the 'foregoing description it will be seen that simple and efficient means are herein provided for accomplishing the purposes of the invention.

While all the elements shown and described are well adapted to serve the purposes for which they are intended, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise construction set forth, but includes within its urview such the appended claims.

Having described my invention what l claim is:

the combination with the front and rear axles of separate vehielesofapair of crossed bars pivotally connected at their ends to said axles, and locking means for locking each other. y

2. In a device of the character described,

the bars 20, whereupon reverse movement ofas shock absorbers when traveling ahead changes as mav be made withln the scope of T1. Tn a device of the character described said bars against movement withrelation to the combination with the front and rear axles of separate vehicles of apair of crossed bars pivotally connected at Atheir ends to said axles, telescopic members extending between said bars and pivotally connected. thereto, and latch members for locking the pairs of the telescopic members against movement with relation to each other.

3. In device of the character described the combination with the front and rear axles of separate vehicles of a pair of crossed bars pivotally connectediat their ends to said axles, telescopic members extending between said bars and pivotally connected thereto, and latch members for locking the pairs ot the telescopic members against movement with relation to each other, said. bars having spring lnili'ers disposed within their length.

4:. ln a device of the character described the combination with `the front and rear axles of separate vehicles of a pair of crossed bars pivotally connected at their ends to said axles, telescopic members extending be tween said bars and pivotally connected thereto, and latch members for locking the pairs of the telescopic members against movement with relation to each other, said hars having spring buffers disposed within their length, each acting in both directions.

5. ln a device of the character described the combination with the tront and rear axles of separate vehicles of a double bar having a hollow head at one end, a plunger rod extending from said hollow head, and springs for resisting the movement of the lunger rod with relation to said hollow llead, means for pivoting the double bar at one of its ends to one ot said axles, means for pivoting the plunger rod at the other end of the double bar to the other ot said axles,a single bar passing obliquely through the double bar and being connected at one of its ends to one of said axles, a hollow head at the other end of the single bar, a plunger rod extending from the hollow head, a spring for resisting the movement et' said second plunger member in saidhollow head, means for pivoting the said second plunger rod to one of the said axles, telescopic bars extending between said bars and latch members for locking the portions ot' the telescopio bars against movement with relation to each other.

6. In adevice of the character described. the combination with front and rear axles of separate vehicles of a double bar having a hollow head at one end, a plunger rod extending from said hollow head,and springs tor resisting the movement of the plunger rod with relation to said hollow head, means for pivoting the double bar at one of its ends to one of said axles, means for pivoting the plunger rod at the other end of the double bar to the otherof said axles, a single bar passing obliquely through the double bar and being connected at one of its ends to one of said axles, a hollow head at the other end of the singlebar, a plunger rod extending from the lhollow head,.a spring for resisting the movement of said second plunger member in'said hollow head, means for pivoting the said second plunger rod to one of thesaid axles, telescopic bars extending between said bars, and latch members for locking the portions of the telescopic bars against movement with relation to each other, said telescopic bars comprising toothed portions and. sleeve portions in which said toothed portions slide, said vlatch members being carried by the sleeve portions and being adapted to engage with said i toothed portion.

In' testimony whereof I afiix my signature 1n presence of two Wltnesses.

LOUIS ALMGRlL-N.

`l/Vitnessesz4 J. C. HIZAR, Gr. U. FRY. 

